Acquiring a Trusted Set of Encoded Data Slices

ABSTRACT

A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module determining whether to evoke a trust verification function and when the trust verification function is to be evoked, selecting one or more encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for trust verification to produce one or more selected encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module sending, to a trusted source, a request to receive the one or more selected encoded data slices and when the one or more selected encoded data slices are received from the trusted source, determining that a trusted set of encoded data slices is available based on the decode threshold number of encoded data slices and the received one or more selected encoded data slices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/554,152,entitled “Communicating Data Utilizing Data Dispersal,” filed Nov. 1,2011, pending, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyand made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for allpurposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT—NOTAPPLICABLE INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACTDISC—NOT APPLICABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems and moreparticularly to data storage solutions within such computing systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Computers are known to communicate, process, and store data. Suchcomputers range from wireless smart phones to data centers that supportmillions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day.In general, a computing system generates data and/or manipulates datafrom one form into another. For instance, an image sensor of thecomputing system generates raw picture data and, using an imagecompression program (e.g., JPEG, MPEG, etc.), the computing systemmanipulates the raw picture data into a standardized compressed image.

With continued advances in processing speed and communication speed,computers are capable of processing real time multimedia data forapplications ranging from simple voice communications to streaming highdefinition video. As such, general-purpose information appliances arereplacing purpose-built communications devices (e.g., a telephone). Forexample, smart phones can support telephony communications but they arealso capable of text messaging and accessing the internet to performfunctions including email, web browsing, remote applications access, andmedia communications (e.g., telephony voice, image transfer, musicfiles, video files, real time video streaming. etc.).

Each type of computer is constructed and operates in accordance with oneor more communication, processing, and storage standards. As a result ofstandardization and with advances in technology, more and moreinformation content is being converted into digital formats. Forexample, more digital cameras are now being sold than film cameras, thusproducing more digital pictures. As another example, web-basedprogramming is becoming an alternative to over the air televisionbroadcasts and/or cable broadcasts. As further examples, papers, books,video entertainment, home video, etc. are now being stored digitally,which increases the demand on the storage function of computers.

A typical computer storage system includes one or more memory devicesaligned with the needs of the various operational aspects of thecomputer's processing and communication functions. Generally, theimmediacy of access dictates what type of memory device is used. Forexample, random access memory (RAM) memory can be accessed in any randomorder with a constant response time, thus it is typically used for cachememory and main memory. By contrast, memory device technologies thatrequire physical movement such as magnetic disks, tapes, and opticaldiscs, have a variable response time as the physical movement can takelonger than the data transfer, thus they are typically used forsecondary memory (e.g., hard drive, backup memory, etc.).

A computer's storage system will be compliant with one or more computerstorage standards that include, but are not limited to, network filesystem (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), smallcomputer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer systeminterface (iSCSI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and web-baseddistributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV). These standards specifythe data storage format (e.g., files, data objects, data blocks,directories, etc.) and interfacing between the computer's processingfunction and its storage system, which is a primary function of thecomputer's memory controller.

Despite the standardization of the computer and its storage system,memory devices fail; especially commercial grade memory devices thatutilize technologies incorporating physical movement (e.g., a discdrive). For example, it is fairly common for a disc drive to routinelysuffer from bit level corruption and to completely fail after threeyears of use. One solution is to utilize a higher-grade disc drive,which adds significant cost to a computer.

Another solution is to utilize multiple levels of redundant disc drivesto replicate the data into two or more copies. One such redundant driveapproach is called redundant array of independent discs (RAID). In aRAID device, a RAID controller adds parity data to the original databefore storing it across the array. The parity data is calculated fromthe original data such that the failure of a disc will not result in theloss of the original data. For example, RAID 5 uses three discs toprotect data from the failure of a single disc. The parity data, andassociated redundancy overhead data, reduces the storage capacity ofthree independent discs by one third (e.g., n−1=capacity). RAID 6 canrecover from a loss of two discs and requires a minimum of four discswith a storage capacity of n−2.

While RAID addresses the memory device failure issue, it is not withoutits own failures issues that affect its effectiveness, efficiency andsecurity. For instance, as more discs are added to the array, theprobability of a disc failure increases, which increases the demand formaintenance. For example, when a disc fails, it needs to be manuallyreplaced before another disc fails and the data stored in the RAIDdevice is lost. To reduce the risk of data loss, data on a RAID deviceis typically copied on to one or more other RAID devices. While thisaddresses the loss of data issue, it raises a security issue sincemultiple copies of data are available, which increases the chances ofunauthorized access. Further, as the amount of data being stored grows,the overhead of RAID devices becomes a non-trivial efficiency issue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing corein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a distributedstorage processing unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example embodiment of error coded data slicecreation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communicationsystem coverage in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating an example of sending data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a flowchart illustrating an example of receiving data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving datain accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating an example of acquiring a trustedset of encoded data slices in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving datain accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving datain accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computing system 10 thatincludes one or more of a first type of user devices 12, one or more ofa second type of user devices 14, at least one distributed storage (DS)processing unit 16, at least one DS managing unit 18, at least onestorage integrity processing unit 20, and a distributed storage network(DSN) memory 22 coupled via a network 24. The network 24 may include oneor more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or moreprivate intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one ormore local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of distributed storage (DS) units36 for storing data of the system. Each of the DS units 36 includes aprocessing module and memory and may be located at a geographicallydifferent site than the other DS units (e.g., one in Chicago, one inMilwaukee, etc.).

Each of the user devices 12-14, the DS processing unit 16, the DSmanaging unit 18, and the storage integrity processing unit 20 may be aportable computing device (e.g., a social networking device, a gamingdevice, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, adigital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, ahandheld computer, a video game controller, and/or any other portabledevice that includes a computing core) and/or a fixed computing device(e.g., a personal computer, a computer server, a cable set-top box, asatellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, homeentertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of homeor office computing equipment). Such a portable or fixed computingdevice includes a computing core 26 and one or more interfaces 30, 32,and/or 33. An embodiment of the computing core 26 will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

With respect to the interfaces, each of the interfaces 30, 32, and 33includes software and/or hardware to support one or more communicationlinks via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly. For example,interfaces 30 support a communication link (wired, wireless, direct, viaa LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between the first type of user device14 and the DS processing unit 16. As another example, DSN interface 32supports a plurality of communication links via the network 24 betweenthe DSN memory 22 and the DS processing unit 16, the first type of userdevice 12, and/or the storage integrity processing unit 20. As yetanother example, interface 33 supports a communication link between theDS managing unit 18 and any one of the other devices and/or units 12,14, 16, 20, and/or 22 via the network 24.

In general and with respect to data storage, the system 10 supportsthree primary functions: distributed network data storage management,distributed data storage and retrieval, and data storage integrityverification. In accordance with these three primary functions, data canbe distributedly stored in a plurality of physically different locationsand subsequently retrieved in a reliable and secure manner regardless offailures of individual storage devices, failures of network equipment,the duration of storage, the amount of data being stored, attempts athacking the data, etc.

The DS managing unit 18 performs distributed network data storagemanagement functions, which include establishing distributed datastorage parameters, performing network operations, performing networkadministration, and/or performing network maintenance. The DS managingunit 18 establishes the distributed data storage parameters (e.g.,allocation of virtual DSN memory space, distributed storage parameters,security parameters, billing information, user profile information,etc.) for one or more of the user devices 12-14 (e.g., established forindividual devices, established for a user group of devices, establishedfor public access by the user devices, etc.). For example, the DSmanaging unit 18 coordinates the creation of a vault (e.g., a virtualmemory block) within the DSN memory 22 for a user device (for a group ofdevices, or for public access). The DS managing unit 18 also determinesthe distributed data storage parameters for the vault. In particular,the DS managing unit 18 determines a number of slices (e.g., the numberthat a data segment of a data file and/or data block is partitioned intofor distributed storage) and a read threshold value (e.g., the minimumnumber of slices required to reconstruct the data segment).

As another example, the DS managing module 18 creates and stores,locally or within the DSN memory 22, user profile information. The userprofile information includes one or more of authentication information,permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters mayinclude one or more of encryption/decryption scheme, one or moreencryption keys, key generation scheme, and data encoding/decodingscheme.

As yet another example, the DS managing unit 18 creates billinginformation for a particular user, user group, vault access, publicvault access, etc. For instance, the DS managing unit 18 tracks thenumber of times user accesses a private vault and/or public vaults,which can be used to generate a per-access bill. In another instance,the DS managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/orretrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used togenerate a per-data-amount bill.

The DS managing unit 18 also performs network operations, networkadministration, and/or network maintenance. As at least part ofperforming the network operations and/or administration, the DS managingunit 18 monitors performance of the devices and/or units of the system10 for potential failures, determines the devices and/or unit'sactivation status, determines the devices' and/or units' loading, andany other system level operation that affects the performance level ofthe system 10. For example, the DS managing unit 18 receives andaggregates network management alarms, alerts, errors, statusinformation, performance information, and messages from the devices12-14 and/or the units 16, 20, 22. For example, the DS managing unit 18receives a simple network management protocol (SNMP) message regardingthe status of the DS processing unit 16.

The DS managing unit 18 performs the network maintenance by identifyingequipment within the system 10 that needs replacing, upgrading,repairing, and/or expanding. For example, the DS managing unit 18determines that the DSN memory 22 needs more DS units 36 or that one ormore of the DS units 36 needs updating.

The second primary function (i.e., distributed data storage andretrieval) begins and ends with a user device 12-14. For instance, if asecond type of user device 14 has a data file 38 and/or data block 40 tostore in the DSN memory 22, it send the data file 38 and/or data block40 to the DS processing unit 16 via its interface 30. As will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2, the interface 30functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file systeminterface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS),disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-baseddistributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a blockmemory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internetsmall computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). In addition, theinterface 30 may attach a user identification code (ID) to the data file38 and/or data block 40.

The DS processing unit 16 receives the data file 38 and/or data block 40via its interface 30 and performs a distributed storage (DS) process 34thereon (e.g., an error coding dispersal storage function). The DSprocessing 34 begins by partitioning the data file 38 and/or data block40 into one or more data segments, which is represented as Y datasegments. For example, the DS processing 34 may partition the data file38 and/or data block 40 into a fixed byte size segment (e.g., 2¹ to2^(n) bytes, where n=>2) or a variable byte size (e.g., change byte sizefrom segment to segment, or from groups of segments to groups ofsegments, etc.).

For each of the Y data segments, the DS processing 34 error encodes(e.g., forward error correction (FEC), information dispersal algorithm,or error correction coding) and slices (or slices then error encodes)the data segment into a plurality of error coded (EC) data slices 42-48,which is represented as X slices per data segment. The number of slices(X) per segment, which corresponds to a number of pillars n, is set inaccordance with the distributed data storage parameters and the errorcoding scheme. For example, if a Reed-Solomon (or other FEC scheme) isused in an n/k system, then a data segment is divided into n slices,where k number of slices is needed to reconstruct the original data(i.e., k is the threshold). As a few specific examples, the n/k factormay be 5/3; 6/4; 8/6; 8/5; 16/10.

For each slice 42-48, the DS processing unit 16 creates a unique slicename and appends it to the corresponding slice 42-48. The slice nameincludes universal DSN memory addressing routing information (e.g.,virtual memory addresses in the DSN memory 22) and user-specificinformation (e.g., user ID, file name, data block identifier, etc.).

The DS processing unit 16 transmits the plurality of EC slices 42-48 toa plurality of DS units 36 of the DSN memory 22 via the DSN interface 32and the network 24. The DSN interface 32 formats each of the slices fortransmission via the network 24. For example, the DSN interface 32 mayutilize an internet protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, etc.) to packetize theslices 42-48 for transmission via the network 24.

The number of DS units 36 receiving the slices 42-48 is dependent on thedistributed data storage parameters established by the DS managing unit18. For example, the DS managing unit 18 may indicate that each slice isto be stored in a different DS unit 36. As another example, the DSmanaging unit 18 may indicate that like slice numbers of different datasegments are to be stored in the same DS unit 36. For example, the firstslice of each of the data segments is to be stored in a first DS unit36, the second slice of each of the data segments is to be stored in asecond DS unit 36, etc. In this manner, the data is encoded anddistributedly stored at physically diverse locations to improved datastorage integrity and security.

Each DS unit 36 that receives a slice 42-48 for storage translates thevirtual DSN memory address of the slice into a local physical addressfor storage. Accordingly, each DS unit 36 maintains a virtual tophysical memory mapping to assist in the storage and retrieval of data.

The first type of user device 12 performs a similar function to storedata in the DSN memory 22 with the exception that it includes the DSprocessing. As such, the device 12 encodes and slices the data fileand/or data block it has to store. The device then transmits the slices11 to the DSN memory via its DSN interface 32 and the network 24.

For a second type of user device 14 to retrieve a data file or datablock from memory, it issues a read command via its interface 30 to theDS processing unit 16. The DS processing unit 16 performs the DSprocessing 34 to identify the DS units 36 storing the slices of the datafile and/or data block based on the read command. The DS processing unit16 may also communicate with the DS managing unit 18 to verify that theuser device 14 is authorized to access the requested data.

Assuming that the user device is authorized to access the requesteddata, the DS processing unit 16 issues slice read commands to at least athreshold number of the DS units 36 storing the requested data (e.g., toat least 10 DS units for a 16/10 error coding scheme). Each of the DSunits 36 receiving the slice read command, verifies the command,accesses its virtual to physical memory mapping, retrieves the requestedslice, or slices, and transmits it to the DS processing unit 16.

Once the DS processing unit 16 has received a read threshold number ofslices for a data segment, it performs an error decoding function andde-slicing to reconstruct the data segment. When Y number of datasegments has been reconstructed, the DS processing unit 16 provides thedata file 38 and/or data block 40 to the user device 14. Note that thefirst type of user device 12 performs a similar process to retrieve adata file and/or data block.

The storage integrity processing unit 20 performs the third primaryfunction of data storage integrity verification. In general, the storageintegrity processing unit 20 periodically retrieves slices 45, and/orslice names, of a data file or data block of a user device to verifythat one or more slices have not been corrupted or lost (e.g., the DSunit failed). The retrieval process mimics the read process previouslydescribed.

If the storage integrity processing unit 20 determines that one or moreslices is corrupted or lost, it rebuilds the corrupted or lost slice(s)in accordance with the error coding scheme. The storage integrityprocessing unit 20 stores the rebuild slice, or slices, in theappropriate DS unit(s) 36 in a manner that mimics the write processpreviously described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, mainmemory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO)controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58,at least one IO device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM)basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interfacemodules. The memory interface module(s) includes one or more of auniversal serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA)interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash interfacemodule 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN interface module76. Note the DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module70 may function as the interface 30 of the user device 14 of FIG. 1.Further note that the 10 device interface module 62 and/or the memoryinterface modules may be collectively or individually referred to as IOports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersedstorage (DS) processing module 34 of user device 12 and/or of the DSprocessing unit 16. The DS processing module 34 includes a gatewaymodule 78, an access module 80, a grid module 82, and a storage module84. The DS processing module 34 may also include an interface 30 and theDSnet interface 32 or the interfaces 68 and/or 70 may be part of user 12or of the DS processing unit 16. The DS processing module 34 may furtherinclude a bypass/feedback path between the storage module 84 to thegateway module 78. Note that the modules 78-84 of the DS processingmodule 34 may be in a single unit or distributed across multiple units.

In an example of storing data, the gateway module 78 receives anincoming data object that includes a user ID field 86, an object namefield 88, and the data field 40 and may also receive correspondinginformation that includes a process identifier (e.g., an internalprocess/application ID), metadata, a file system directory, a blocknumber, a transaction message, a user device identity (ID), a dataobject identifier, a source name, and/or user information. The gatewaymodule 78 authenticates the user associated with the data object byverifying the user ID 86 with the managing unit 18 and/or anotherauthenticating unit.

When the user is authenticated, the gateway module 78 obtains userinformation from the management unit 18, the user device, and/or theother authenticating unit. The user information includes a vaultidentifier, operational parameters, and user attributes (e.g., userdata, billing information, etc.). A vault identifier identifies a vault,which is a virtual memory space that maps to a set of DS storage units36. For example, vault 1 (i.e., user 1's DSN memory space) includeseight DS storage units (X=8 wide) and vault 2 (i.e., user 2's DSN memoryspace) includes sixteen DS storage units (X=16 wide). The operationalparameters may include an error coding algorithm, the width n (number ofpillars X or slices per segment for this vault), a read threshold T, awrite threshold, an encryption algorithm, a slicing parameter, acompression algorithm, an integrity check method, caching settings,parallelism settings, and/or other parameters that may be used to accessthe DSN memory layer.

The gateway module 78 uses the user information to assign a source name35 to the data. For instance, the gateway module 78 determines thesource name 35 of the data object 40 based on the vault identifier andthe data object. For example, the source name may contain a fileidentifier (ID), a vault generation number, a reserved field, and avault identifier (ID). As another example, the gateway module 78 maygenerate the file ID based on a hash function of the data object 40.Note that the gateway module 78 may also perform message conversion,protocol conversion, electrical conversion, optical conversion, accesscontrol, user identification, user information retrieval, trafficmonitoring, statistics generation, configuration, management, and/orsource name determination.

The access module 80 receives the data object 40 and creates a series ofdata segments 1 through Y 90-92 in accordance with a data storageprotocol (e.g., file storage system, a block storage system, and/or anaggregated block storage system). The number of segments Y may be chosenor randomly assigned based on a selected segment size and the size ofthe data object. For example, if the number of segments is chosen to bea fixed number, then the size of the segments varies as a function ofthe size of the data object. For instance, if the data object is animage file of 4,194,304 eight bit bytes (e.g., 33,554,432 bits) and thenumber of segments Y=131,072, then each segment is 256 bits or 32 bytes.As another example, if segment sized is fixed, then the number ofsegments Y varies based on the size of data object. For instance, if thedata object is an image file of 4,194,304 bytes and the fixed size ofeach segment is 4,096 bytes, the then number of segments Y=1,024. Notethat each segment is associated with the same source name.

The grid module 82 receives the data segments and may manipulate (e.g.,compression, encryption, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) each ofthe data segments before performing an error coding function of theerror coding dispersal storage function to produce a pre-manipulateddata segment. After manipulating a data segment, if applicable, the gridmodule 82 error encodes (e.g., Reed-Solomon, Convolution encoding,Trellis encoding, etc.) the data segment or manipulated data segmentinto X error coded data slices 42-44.

The value X, or the number of pillars (e.g., X=16), is chosen as aparameter of the error coding dispersal storage function. Otherparameters of the error coding dispersal function include a readthreshold T, a write threshold W, etc. The read threshold (e.g., T=10,when X=16) corresponds to the minimum number of error-free error codeddata slices required to reconstruct the data segment. In other words,the DS processing module 34 can compensate for X−T (e.g., 16−10=6)missing error coded data slices per data segment. The write threshold Wcorresponds to a minimum number of DS storage units that acknowledgeproper storage of their respective data slices before the DS processingmodule indicates proper storage of the encoded data segment. Note thatthe write threshold is greater than or equal to the read threshold for agiven number of pillars (X).

For each data slice of a data segment, the grid module 82 generates aunique slice name 37 and attaches it thereto. The slice name 37 includesa universal routing information field and a vault specific field and maybe 48 bytes (e.g., 24 bytes for each of the universal routinginformation field and the vault specific field). As illustrated, theuniversal routing information field includes a slice index, a vault ID,a vault generation, and a reserved field. The slice index is based onthe pillar number and the vault ID and, as such, is unique for eachpillar (e.g., slices of the same pillar for the same vault for anysegment will share the same slice index). The vault specific fieldincludes a data name, which includes a file ID and a segment number(e.g., a sequential numbering of data segments 1−Y of a simple dataobject or a data block number).

Prior to outputting the error coded data slices of a data segment, thegrid module may perform post-slice manipulation on the slices. Ifenabled, the manipulation includes slice level compression, encryption,CRC, addressing, tagging, and/or other manipulation to improve theeffectiveness of the computing system.

When the error coded data slices of a data segment are ready to beoutputted, the grid module 82 determines which of the DS storage units36 will store the EC data slices based on a dispersed storage memorymapping associated with the user's vault and/or DS storage unitattributes. The DS storage unit attributes may include availability,self-selection, performance history, link speed, link latency,ownership, available DSN memory, domain, cost, a prioritization scheme,a centralized selection message from another source, a lookup table,data ownership, and/or any other factor to optimize the operation of thecomputing system. Note that the number of DS storage units 36 is equalto or greater than the number of pillars (e.g., X) so that no more thanone error coded data slice of the same data segment is stored on thesame DS storage unit 36. Further note that EC data slices of the samepillar number but of different segments (e.g., EC data slice 1 of datasegment 1 and EC data slice 1 of data segment 2) may be stored on thesame or different DS storage units 36.

The storage module 84 performs an integrity check on the outboundencoded data slices and, when successful, identifies a plurality of DSstorage units based on information provided by the grid module 82. Thestorage module 84 then outputs the encoded data slices 1 through X ofeach segment 1 through Y to the DS storage units 36. Each of the DSstorage units 36 stores its EC data slice(s) and maintains a localvirtual DSN address to physical location table to convert the virtualDSN address of the EC data slice(s) into physical storage addresses.

In an example of a read operation, the user device 12 and/or 14 sends aread request to the DS processing unit 16, which authenticates therequest. When the request is authentic, the DS processing unit 16 sendsa read message to each of the DS storage units 36 storing slices of thedata object being read. The slices are received via the DSnet interface32 and processed by the storage module 84, which performs a parity checkand provides the slices to the grid module 82 when the parity check wassuccessful. The grid module 82 decodes the slices in accordance with theerror coding dispersal storage function to reconstruct the data segment.The access module 80 reconstructs the data object from the data segmentsand the gateway module 78 formats the data object for transmission tothe user device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module 82that includes a control unit 73, a pre-slice manipulator 75, an encoder77, a slicer 79, a post-slice manipulator 81, a pre-slice de-manipulator83, a decoder 85, a de-slicer 87, and/or a post-slice de-manipulator 89.Note that the control unit 73 may be partially or completely external tothe grid module 82. For example, the control unit 73 may be part of thecomputing core at a remote location, part of a user device, part of theDS managing unit 18, or distributed amongst one or more DS storageunits.

In an example of write operation, the pre-slice manipulator 75 receivesa data segment 90-92 and a write instruction from an authorized userdevice. The pre-slice manipulator 75 determines if pre-manipulation ofthe data segment 90-92 is required and, if so, what type. The pre-slicemanipulator 75 may make the determination independently or based oninstructions from the control unit 73, where the determination is basedon a computing system-wide predetermination, a table lookup, vaultparameters associated with the user identification, the type of data,security requirements, available DSN memory, performance requirements,and/or other metadata.

Once a positive determination is made, the pre-slice manipulator 75manipulates the data segment 90-92 in accordance with the type ofmanipulation. For example, the type of manipulation may be compression(e.g., Lempel-Ziv-Welch, Huffman, Golomb, fractal, wavelet, etc.),signatures (e.g., Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA), Elliptic Curve DSA,Secure Hash Algorithm, etc.), watermarking, tagging, encryption (e.g.,Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard, etc.), addingmetadata (e.g., time/date stamping, user information, file type, etc.),cyclic redundancy check (e.g., CRC32), and/or other data manipulationsto produce the pre-manipulated data segment.

The encoder 77 encodes the pre-manipulated data segment 92 using aforward error correction (FEC) encoder (and/or other type of erasurecoding and/or error coding) to produce an encoded data segment 94. Theencoder 77 determines which forward error correction algorithm to usebased on a predetermination associated with the user's vault, a timebased algorithm, user direction, DS managing unit direction, controlunit direction, as a function of the data type, as a function of thedata segment 92 metadata, and/or any other factor to determine algorithmtype. The forward error correction algorithm may be Golay,Multidimensional parity, Reed-Solomon, Hamming, Bose Ray ChauduriHocquenghem (BCH), Cauchy-Reed-Solomon, or any other FEC encoder. Notethat the encoder 77 may use a different encoding algorithm for each datasegment 92, the same encoding algorithm for the data segments 92 of adata object, or a combination thereof.

The encoded data segment 94 is of greater size than the data segment 92by the overhead rate of the encoding algorithm by a factor of X/T, whereX is the width or number of slices, and T is the read threshold. In thisregard, the corresponding decoding process can accommodate at most X−Tmissing EC data slices and still recreate the data segment 92. Forexample, if X=16 and T=10, then the data segment 92 will be recoverableas long as 10 or more EC data slices per segment are not corrupted.

The slicer 79 transforms the encoded data segment 94 into EC data slicesin accordance with the slicing parameter from the vault for this userand/or data segment 92. For example, if the slicing parameter is X=16,then the slicer 79 slices each encoded data segment 94 into 16 encodedslices.

The post-slice manipulator 81 performs, if enabled, post-manipulation onthe encoded slices to produce the EC data slices. If enabled, thepost-slice manipulator 81 determines the type of post-manipulation,which may be based on a computing system-wide predetermination,parameters in the vault for this user, a table lookup, the useridentification, the type of data, security requirements, available DSNmemory, performance requirements, control unit directed, and/or othermetadata. Note that the type of post-slice manipulation may includeslice level compression, signatures, encryption, CRC, addressing,watermarking, tagging, adding metadata, and/or other manipulation toimprove the effectiveness of the computing system.

In an example of a read operation, the post-slice de-manipulator 89receives at least a read threshold number of EC data slices and performsthe inverse function of the post-slice manipulator 81 to produce aplurality of encoded slices. The de-slicer 87 de-slices the encodedslices to produce an encoded data segment 94. The decoder 85 performsthe inverse function of the encoder 77 to recapture the data segment90-92. The pre-slice de-manipulator 83 performs the inverse function ofthe pre-slice manipulator 75 to recapture the data segment 90-92.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of slicing an encoded data segment 94by the slicer 79. In this example, the encoded data segment 94 includesthirty-two bits, bytes, data words, etc., but may include more or lessbits, bytes, data words, etc. The slicer 79 disperses the bits of theencoded data segment 94 across the EC data slices in a pattern as shown.As such, each EC data slice does not include consecutive bits, bytes,data words, etc. of the data segment 94 reducing the impact ofconsecutive bit, byte, data word, etc. failures on data recovery. Forexample, if EC data slice 2 (which includes bits 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 25,and 29) is unavailable (e.g., lost, inaccessible, or corrupted), thedata segment can be reconstructed from the other EC data slices (e.g.,1, 3 and 4 for a read threshold of 3 and a width of 4).

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem that includes a user device 103, a wireless system A, a wirelesssystem B, and a network 24. Alternatively, the system includes anynumber of wireless systems and any number of user devices. The wirelesssystem A includes a dispersed storage (DS) processing 34, a data source102, a radio network controller (RNC) A, and wireless transceivers TRA-1 and TR A-2. Alternatively, the wireless system A may include anynumber of data sources and any number of wireless transceivers. The datasource 102 may be implemented utilizing one or more of an applicationserver, a database, a data aggregator, a recording system output, astreaming media source, a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory, and acommunication system output (e.g., cellular phone call traffic, radiodispatch traffic). The data source 102 receives data from one or moreinputs including a data output from the RNC A. The data source 102provides data 104 to the DS processing unit 34. The data 104 includesone or more of encoded data slices, a data segment, a data file, a datastream, application data, commands, configuration information,communication traffic (e.g., telephony, group radio dispatch traffic), avideo stream, an audio stream, a text file, a multimedia file, adatabase update, a list, reference information, and traininginformation.

The DS processing 34 encodes the data 104 to produce slices 106. The DSprocessing 34 sends at least some of the slices 106 to the user device103 via at least one of RNC A and wireless system B. The RNC A sendsslices 106 to one or more of TR A-1 and TR A-2 for wireless transmissionas wireless signals A to the user device 103. The RNC A controls sessioncontinuity as the user device 103 may move geographically from site tosite within a geographic coverage area of wireless system A.

The wireless system B includes a RNC B and wireless transceivers TR B-1,TR B-2, TR B-3, and TR B-4. Alternatively, the wireless system B mayincludes any number of wireless transceivers. The RNC B receive slices106 from the wireless system A and sends slices 106 to one or more of TRB-1, TR B-2, TR B-3, and TR B-4 for wireless transmission as wirelesssignals B to the user device 103. The RNC B controls session continuityas the user device 103 moves geographically from site to site within ageographic coverage area of wireless system B.

The user device 103 includes a transceiver TR A to communicate wirelesssignals A and a transceiver TR B to communicate wireless signals B. TheTR A receives wireless signals A and produces slices 106. The TR Breceives wireless signals B and produces slices 106. The DS processing34 of the user device 103 receives the slices 106 from one or more of TRA and TR B and decodes the slices 106 to reproduce data 104.Alternatively, a single transceiver may communicate wireless signals Aand B. For example, the single transceiver communicates wireless signalsA and B when the single transceiver is implemented utilizing softwaredefined radio (SDR) technology.

The transceivers TR A-1 and TR A-2 communicate wireless signals A withtransceiver TR A of the user device 103 and may operate in accordancewith one or more wireless industry standards including but not limitedto universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), global system formobile communications (GSM), long term evolution (LTE), wideband codedivision multiplexing (WCDMA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, WiMax,Bluetooth, Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO)Project 25, or any other local area network (LAN), wide area network(WAN), personal area network (PAN) or like wireless protocol. Thetransceivers TR B-1, TR B-2, TR B-3, and TR B-4 to communicate wirelesssignals B with the transceiver TR B of the user device and may operatein accordance with the one or more wireless standards. The wirelesssignals A and B may simultaneously operate in accordance with differentwireless industry standards. The wireless signals may be transmitted inaccordance with any one of a broadcast scheme, a unicast scheme, and amulticast scheme.

The wireless system A may provide a different wireless coveragefootprint as compared to wireless system B. For example, wireless systemA may provide a private wireless system (e.g., police and firedepartment communication) where range per site and total cost is moreimportant than high user density per unit of area covered. As anotherexample wireless system B may provide a public wireless system (e.g., acellular carrier) where low-cost per user and a high density per unit ofarea covered is more important than wireless range per site. Forinstance, wireless coverage cells of wireless system A may be muchlarger in diameter than wireless coverage cells of wireless system B.Wireless coverage permutations are discussed in more detail withreference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless communicationsystem coverage that includes a plurality of wireless system A coveragecells A-site1 through A-site2 and a plurality of wireless system Bcoverage cells B-site1 through B-site13. The wireless system A includeswireless coverage cells that are larger than coverage cells of thewireless system B. At any geographic location, coverage may be providedfrom neither, one, or both wireless systems A and B. With respect to thecoverage from one of the two wireless systems A and B, overlappingcoverage may be provided by two sites of the same wireless system.

Individual cells of wireless system B provide at least one of uniquecoverage (e.g., not overlapping with wireless system A), partiallyoverlapping coverage, and fully overlapping coverage (e.g., a cell ofwireless system A fully overlaps coverage of a site of wireless systemB). For example, wireless system B sites B-site7 through B-site9 provideunique coverage, wireless system B sites B-site5 and B-site6 providepartially overlapping coverage with wireless system A site A-site1,wireless system B site B-site11 provides partially overlapping coveragewith wireless system A sites A-site1 and A-site2, wireless system B siteB-site13 provides partially overlapping coverage with wireless system Asite A-site2, wireless system B site B-site10 provides fully overlappingcoverage with wireless system A sites A-site1 and A-site2, wirelesssystem B sites B-site1 through B-site4 provides fully overlappingcoverage with wireless system A site A-site1, and wireless system B siteB-site12 provides fully overlapping coverage with wireless system A siteA-site2.

A system performance and security improvement may be provided byleveraging coverage characteristics of wireless systems A and B towirelessly communicate data as encoded data slices to a user device thattraverses an aggregate coverage area of both of the wireless systems.Methods to communicate the data to the user device are discussed ingreater detail with reference to FIGS. 8A-13B.

FIG. 8A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes a computing device 110, a plurality ofwireless communication resources 112-116, and a receiving entity 118.The receiving entity 118 may be implemented as one or more of a userdevice, a dispersed storage (DS) unit, and a DS processing unit. Eachwireless communication resource of the plurality of wirelesscommunication resources 112-116 may include one or more of wirelesssignals, a wireless channel, a wireless transceiver, a wirelesscommunication sector, a wireless communication site, and a wirelesscommunication system. The wireless channel may operate in accordancewith one or more industry standards including frequency divisionmultiple access, (FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), and timedivision multiple access (TDMA). The computing device 110 includes a DSprocessing 118. The DS processing 118 includes a select slices module120, an output slice subset module 122, and an output other slicesmodule 124. The system functions to communicate a set of encoded dataslices 126 to the receiving entity 118. A data segment 128 is encodedutilizing a dispersed storage error coding function to produce the setof encoded data slices 126.

The select slices module 120 selects a subset 130 of the set of encodeddata slices 126 to communicate to the receiving entity 118. The subsetof encoded data slices 130 includes less than a decode threshold numberof encoded data slices. The select slices module 120 selects the subsetof encoded data slices 130 by a series of steps. A first step includesdetermining a subset number of encoded data slices for the subset ofencoded data slices 130 based on one or more of an availability level ofa first wireless communication resource 112, a communication performancelevel of the first wireless communication resource (e.g., bandwidth,latency, rate), and one or more dispersal parameters of the dispersedstorage error coding function (e.g., pillar width, decode threshold).For example, the select slices module 120 selects a below average numberof encoded data slices when the communication performance level of thefirst wireless communication resource is below average. A second step toselect the subset of encoded data slices includes selecting the subsetof encoded data slices 130 based on one or more of the subset number ofencoded data slices, an encoding matrix of the dispersed storage errorcoding function, and content of the set of encoded data slices. Forexample, the select slices module 120 selects encoded data slices wherecontent of the encoded data slices does not expose sensitive data.

When the receiving entity 118 is affiliated (e.g., operably coupled)with the first wireless communication resource 112, the output slicesubset module 122 outputs the subset of encoded data slices 130 via thefirst wireless communication resource 112 to the receiving entity 118.For example, the output slice subset module 122 sends the subset ofencoded data slices 130 to a cell site of the first wirelesscommunication resource 112. As another example, the output slice subsetmodule 122 sends the subset of encoded data slices 130 to a radionetwork controller associated with the first wireless communicationresource 112. The first wireless communication resource 112 has a firstwireless geographic coverage area. The output slice subset module 122determines that the receiving entity 118 is affiliated with the firstwireless communication resource 112 based on at least one of receivingan affiliation message (e.g., from at least one of the receiving entity118 and the radio network controller), initiating an affiliation queryand receiving a favorable response, and predicting a favorablegeographic proximity between the receiving entity and the first wirelesscommunication resource 112.

When the receiving entity 118 is affiliated with a second wirelesscommunication resource 114 and is located outside of the first wirelessgeographic coverage area, the output other slices module 124 outputs oneor more encoded data slices 132 of the set of encoded data slices 126via the second wireless communication resource 114 to the receivingentity 118. The subset of encoded data slices 130 and the one or moreencoded data slices 132 equates to at least the decode threshold numberof encoded data slices. The first wireless communication resource 112may include one or more channels in a first cell site of a communicationsystem and the second wireless communication resource 114 may includeone or more channels in a second cell site of the communication system.Alternatively, first wireless communication resource includes one ormore channels in a cell site of a first communication system 112 and thesecond wireless communication resource 114 includes one or more channelsin a cell site of a second communication system. At least a portion ofthe cell site of the second communication system does not overlap withthe cell site of the first communication system. The output other slicesmodule 124 determines that the receiving entity is affiliated with thesecond wireless communication resource 114 based on at least one ofreceiving an affiliation message, initiating an affiliation query andreceiving a favorable response, and predicting a favorable geographicproximity between the receiving entity and the second wirelesscommunication resource.

When the receiving entity 118 is affiliated with a third wirelesscommunication resource 116 and is located outside of the first wirelessgeographic coverage area and a second wireless geographic coverage area,the third module outputs another one or more encoded data slices 134 ofthe set of encoded data slices 126 via the third wireless communicationresource 116 to the receiving entity 118. The second wirelesscommunication resource 114 has the second wireless geographic coveragearea and the subset of encoded data slices 130, the one or more encodeddata slices 132, and the another one or more encoded data slices 134equates to at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating an example of sending data. Themethod begins at step 140 where a processing module (e.g., a dispersedstorage (DS) module of a sending entity) determines a subset number ofencoded data slices for a subset of encoded data slices of a set ofencoded data slices to communicate to a receiving entity based on one ormore of an availability level of a first wireless communicationresource, a communication performance level of the first wirelesscommunication resource, and one or more dispersal parameters of adispersed storage error coding function. A data segment is encodedutilizing the dispersed storage error coding function to produce a setof encoded data slices.

The method continues at step 142 where the processing module selects thesubset of the set of encoded data slices. The subset of encoded dataslices includes less than a decode threshold number of encoded dataslices. The selecting the subset of encoded data slices includesselecting the subset of encoded data slices based on one or more of thesubset number of encoded data slices, an encoding matrix of thedispersed storage error coding function, and content of the set ofencoded data slices.

The method continues at step 144 where the processing module determinesthat the receiving entity is affiliated with the first wirelesscommunication resource based on at least one of receiving an affiliationmessage, initiating an affiliation query and receiving a favorableresponse, and predicting a favorable geographic proximity between thereceiving entity and the first communication resource. When thereceiving entity is affiliated with a first wireless communicationresource, the method continues at step 146 where the processing moduleoutputs the subset of encoded data slices via the first wirelesscommunication resource to the receiving entity. The first wirelesscommunication resource has a first wireless geographic coverage area.

The method continues at step 148 where the processing module determinesthat the receiving entity is affiliated with the second wirelesscommunication resource based on at least one of receiving an affiliationmessage, initiating an affiliation query and receiving a favorableresponse, and predicting a favorable geographic proximity between thereceiving entity and the second communication resource. When thereceiving entity is affiliated with a second wireless communicationresource and is located outside of the first wireless geographiccoverage area, the method continues at step 150 where the processingmodule outputs one or more encoded data slices of the set of encodeddata slices via the second wireless communication resource to thereceiving entity. The subset of encoded data slices and the one or moreencoded data slices equates to at least the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices. The first wireless communication resource includesone or more channels in a first cell site of a communication system andthe second wireless communication resource including one or morechannels in a second cell site of the communication system.Alternatively, the first wireless communication resource includes one ormore channels in a cell site of a first communication system and thesecond wireless communication resource includes one or more channels ina cell site of a second communication system, wherein at least a portionof the cell site of the second communication system does not overlapwith the cell site of the first communication system.

When the receiving entity is affiliated with a third wirelesscommunication resource and is located outside of the first wirelessgeographic coverage area and a second wireless geographic coverage area,the method continues at step 152 where the processing module outputsanother one or more encoded data slices of the set of encoded dataslices via the third wireless communication resource to the receivingentity, wherein the second wireless communication resource has thesecond wireless geographic coverage area and wherein the subset ofencoded data slices, the one or more encoded data slices, and theanother one or more encoded data slices equates to at least the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices.

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes computing devices 160 and 162, a publicwireless communication network 164, and a private wireless communicationnetwork 166. The public wireless communication network 164 includes atleast one of a public wireless local area network, a public cellularnetwork, a public broadband network, a public satellite network, and apublic internet. The private wireless communication network 166 includesat least one of a private wireless local area network, a privatecellular network, a private two-way radio network, a private broadbandnetwork, a private satellite network, a private governmental wirelessnetwork, and a private intranet. Alternatively, the public wirelesscommunication network 164 may be implemented with any communicationnetwork technology associated with higher capacity than the privatewireless communication network 166. Alternatively, the private wirelesscommunication network 166 may be implemented with any communicationnetwork technology associated with higher security than the publicwireless communication network 164.

The computing device 160 includes a dispersed storage (DS) processing161. The computing device 162 includes a DS processing 163. The DSprocessing 161 includes a send slices module 168, a send indicatorsmodule 170, and a send additional slices module 172. The DS processing163 includes a receive module 174, a select module 176, and a receiveadditional slices module 178. The computing devices 160 and 162 may beimplemented as one or more of a user device, a DS processing unit, and aDS unit. The computing device 160 may be implemented as a sending deviceand the computing device 162 may be implemented as a targeted device ofa plurality of targeted devices. The system functions to send a datafile 180 of a plurality of data files from computing device 160 (e.g.,sending device) to computing device 162 (e.g., targeted device).

The send slices module 168 sends a plurality of undecodeable portions ofthe plurality of data files via the public wireless communicationnetwork 164 to one or more targeted devices 162 of the private wirelesscommunication network 166. An undecodeable portion of the data file 180of the plurality of undecodeable portions represents one or more subsetsof encoded data slices 182 of one or more sets of encoded data slices184. The data file 180 is encoded using a dispersed storage error codingfunction to produce the one or more sets of encoded data slices. Forexample, the send slices module 168 obtains the data file 180 andencodes the data file 180 using the dispersed storage error codingfunction to produce the one or more sets of encoded data slices 184. Thereceive module 174 receives the plurality of undecodeable portions ofthe plurality of data files via the public wireless communicationnetwork 164.

The one or more targeted devices 162 includes the plurality of targeteddevices. A subset of the one or more subsets of encoded data slices 182includes less than the decode threshold number of encoded data slicessuch that the data file 180 is undecodeable from the less than thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices. The one or more subsetsof encoded data slices 182 includes a plurality of subsets of encodeddata slices. Alternatively, from subset to subset of the plurality ofencoded data slices 184, the plurality of encoded data slices includes adifferent combination of encoded data blocks of the data file (e.g.,different pillar combinations, different check block combinations,etc.). When sending the plurality of undecodeable portions of theplurality of data files by sending subsets of the plurality of encodeddata slices 184 with different combinations of encoded data blocks, thesend slices module 168 determines a pillar combination (e.g., whichslice numbers) of the subset of encoded data slices based on one or moreof a previous pillar combination associated with another set of encodeddata slices, an encoding matrix of the dispersed storage error codingfunction, and content of each encoded data slice of the set of encodeddata slices; and (e.g., to provide improved security.

The send indicators module 170 sends a plurality of data contentindicators 186 regarding the plurality of data files via the publicwireless communication network 164 to the one or more targeted devices162 of the private wireless communication network 166. The data contentindicators 186 includes one of a non-confidential description of thedata file, a video graphic thumbnail of the data file, non-classifiedinformation of the data file, and a data file name. Alternatively, thedata content indicators 186 provide the one or more targeted devices 162with any type of description of the plurality of data files to enable aselection.

The receive module 174 receives, via the public wireless communicationnetwork 164, the plurality of data content indicators regarding theplurality of data files. The select module 176 generates a selectionresponse 190 to select the data file 180 of the plurality of data filesbased on a corresponding one of the plurality of data content indicators186. The select module 176 generates the selection response 190 by atleast one of a plurality of approaches. A first approach includes anautomated process based on at least one of a task, a geographiclocation, a group identification, and a time period. For example, theselect module 176 generates the selection response 190 when a taskassociated with the data file 180 corresponds to a task assignment. Asanother example, the select module 176 generates the selection response190 when a geographic location associated with the data file 180corresponds to a current geographic location. As yet another example,the select module 176 generates the selection response 190 when a groupidentifier associated with the data file corresponds to a present groupidentifier. As a still further example, the select module 176 generatesthe selection response 190 when a time period associated with the datafile corresponds to a current time period. A second approach includes auser selection detection process where the selection response includesidentification (e.g., based on a user input) of the selected data file.

In response to a selection 190 of the data file 180 of the plurality ofdata files based on a corresponding one of the plurality of data contentindicators 186, the send additional slices module 172 sends, via theprivate wireless communication network 166, one or more additionalencoded data slices 188 of each of the one or more sets of encoded dataslices 184 such that, for each of the one or more sets of encoded dataslices, the one or more targeted devices obtains at least a decodethreshold number of encoded data slices to decode the data file. Atargeted device 162 of the plurality of device provides the selection190 and the one or more additional encoded data slices 188 of each ofthe one or more sets of encoded data slices 184 are sent to the targeteddevice 188. The targeted device 162 of the plurality of device providesthe selection 190 via the private wireless communication network 166.Alternatively, the targeted device 162 of the plurality of deviceprovides the selection 190 and the one or more additional encoded dataslices 188 of each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices 184are sent to the plurality of targeted devices. The receive additionalslices module 178 receives, via the private wireless communicationnetwork 166, the one or more additional encoded data slices 188 of eachof the one or more sets of encoded data slices 184 such that, for eachof the one or more sets of encoded data slices 184, at least a decodethreshold number of encoded data slices is obtained to allow decoding ofthe data file 180.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data. Themethod begins at step 200 were a processing module (e.g., a dispersedprocessing of a sending device) encodes a plurality of data files usinga dispersed storage error coding function to produce, for each datafile, one or more sets of encoded data slices. The method continues atstep 202 where the processing module sends a plurality of undecodeableportions of the plurality of data files via a public wirelesscommunication network to one or more targeted devices of a privatewireless communication network. The one or more targeted devicesincludes a plurality of targeted devices. An undecodeable portion of adata file of the plurality of undecodeable portions represents one ormore subsets of encoded data slices of the one or more sets of encodeddata slices corresponding to the data file. The one or more subsets ofencoded data slices includes a plurality of subsets of encoded dataslices. A subset of the one or more subsets of encoded data slicesincludes less than the decode threshold number of encoded data slicessuch that the data file is undecodeable from the less than the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices. Alternatively, from subset tosubset of the plurality of encoded data slices, the plurality of encodeddata slices includes a different combination of encoded data blocks ofthe data file (e.g., different pillar combinations, different checkblock combinations, etc.).

The method continues at step 204 where the processing module sends aplurality of data content indicators regarding the plurality of datafiles. The data content indicators includes at least one of anon-confidential description of the data file, a video graphic thumbnailof the data file, non-classified information of the data file, and adata file name. The method continues at step 206 where the processingmodule receives a selection when a targeted device of the plurality ofdevice provides the selection.

In response to the selection of a data file of the plurality of datafiles based on a corresponding one of the plurality of data contentindicators, the method continues at step 208 where the processing modulesends, via the private wireless communication network, one or moreadditional encoded data slices of each of the one or more sets ofencoded data slices such that, for each of the one or more sets ofencoded data slices, the one or more targeted devices obtains at least adecode threshold number of encoded data slices to decode the data file.For example, the one or more additional encoded data slices of each ofthe one or more sets of encoded data slices are sent to the targeteddevice. As another example, the one or more additional encoded dataslices of each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices are sentto the plurality of targeted devices.

FIG. 9C is a flowchart illustrating an example of receiving data. Themethod begins at step 210 were a processing module (e.g., a dispersedprocessing of a targeted device) receives a plurality of undecodeableportions of a plurality of data files via a public wirelesscommunication network. The undecodeable portion of a data file of theplurality of undecodeable portions represents one or more subsets ofencoded data slices of one or more sets of encoded data slices. The datafile is encoded using a dispersed storage error coding function toproduce the one or more sets of encoded data slices. A subset of the oneor more subsets of encoded data slices includes less than the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices such that the data file isundecodeable from the less than the decode threshold number of encodeddata slices. The one or more subsets of encoded data slices includes aplurality of subsets of encoded data slices. Alternatively, from subsetto subset of the plurality of encoded data slices, the plurality ofencoded data slices includes a different combination of encoded datablocks of the data file.

The method continues at step 212 where the processing module receives,via the public wireless communication network, a plurality of datacontent indicators regarding the plurality of data files. The datacontent indicators includes at least one of a non-confidentialdescription of the data file, a video graphic thumbnail of the datafile, non-classified information of the data file, and a data file name.

The method continues at step 214 where the processing module generates aselection response to select a data file of the plurality of data filesbased on a corresponding one of the plurality of data contentindicators. The generating the selection response includes at least oneof a variety of approaches. A first approach includes an automatedprocess based on at least one of a task, a geographic location, a groupidentification, and a time period. A second approach includes a userselection detection process, wherein the selection response includesidentification of the selected data file (e.g., a user input). Next, theprocessing module outputs, via the private wireless communicationnetwork, the selection response to a sending entity. The methodcontinues at step 216 where the processing module receives, via theprivate wireless communication network, one or more additional encodeddata slices of each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices suchthat, for each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices, at leasta decode threshold number of encoded data slices is obtained to allowdecoding of the data file.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data.The method begins with step 218 where a processing module (e.g., adispersed storage (DS) processing of an infrastructure element) obtainsdata for transmission to a user device (e.g., receives the data). Themethod continues at step 220 where the processing module determines awireless connectivity approach. The wireless connectivity approachincludes one or more of dispersal parameters (e.g., pillar width, adecode threshold, an information dispersal algorithm), a slice selectionapproach per set of slices (e.g., how many slices relative to the decodethreshold percent to select), a slice partitioning approach (e.g.,dividing each slice into two or more portions), a slice to wirelesssystem association (e.g., how many and which slices per set of slices tosend via which wireless communication system). The determination may bebased on one or more of wireless system information associated with aplurality of wireless systems (e.g., capabilities, capacity,availability, performance, cost) and transmission requirements (e.g.,performance, security, reliability). For example, the processing moduledetermines to send less than a decode threshold number of slices per setof slices via a first wireless communication system and to sendremaining slices per set of slices via a second wireless communicationsystem when an above-average level of security is required andsufficient capacity is available in the first communication system tosend the less than a decode threshold number of slices.

The method continues at step 222 where the processing module encodes thedata utilizing a dispersed storage error coding function to produce aplurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues at step224 where the processing module selects a unique combination of lessthan a decode threshold number of encoded data slices per set of theplurality of sets of encoded data slices to produce a plurality ofunique first subsets of encoded data slices in accordance with thewireless connectivity approach. For example, the processing moduleselects slices 1-9 of a first set, slices 1, 3-10 of a second set,slices 1-2, 4-10 of a third set, etc.

The method continues at step 226 where the processing module sends theplurality of unique first subsets of encoded data slices to the userdevice via corresponding sites of a public wireless communicationsystem. The sending includes one or more of sending the plurality ofunique first subsets of encoded data slices in accordance with thewireless connectivity approach, sending the plurality of unique firstsubsets of encoded data slices to a radio network controller (RNC) ofthe public wireless communication system, and sending the plurality ofunique first subsets of encoded data slices to one or more transceiversassociated with the public wireless communication system, wherein theone or more transceivers are affiliated with the user device (e.g.,within wireless range, connected indicated by site registrationinformation). For example, processing module sends slices 1-9 of thefirst set of slices to a first transceiver of the public wirelesscommunication system, slices 1, 3-10 of the second set of slices to asecond transceiver of the public wireless communication system, andslices 1-2, 4-10 of the third set of slices to a third transceiver ofthe public wireless communication system when a decode threshold is 10and a pillar width is 16.

The method continues at step 228 where the processing module sendsremaining encoded data slices (e.g., at least enough slices to provide adecode threshold number of slices in total, all remaining slices per setsuch that they pillar width number of slices are sent in total)corresponding to each unique first subset of encoded data slices to theuser device via corresponding sites of a private wireless communicationsystem. The corresponding site of the private wireless committee shouldsystem includes overlapping wireless coverage with a corresponding siteof the public wireless immigration system. The sending includes one ormore of sending the remaining encoded data slices in accordance with thewireless connectivity approach, sending the remaining encoded dataslices to an RNC of the private wireless communication system, andsending the remaining encoded data slices to one or more transceiversassociated with the private wireless communication system, wherein theone or more transceivers of the private wireless communication systemare affiliated with the user device (e.g., within wireless range of thetransceiver of the private wireless communication system, connectedindicated by site registration information of the private wirelesscommunication system). For example, processing module sends slices 10-16of the first set of slices to a first transceiver of the privatewireless communication system, slices 2, 11-16 of the second set ofslices to a second transceiver of the private wireless communicationsystem, and slices 3, 11-16 of the third set of slices to a thirdtransceiver of the private wireless communication system when a decodethreshold is 10, a pillar width is 16, and wireless coverage oftransceivers 1-3 of the public wireless communication system issubstantially the same as wireless coverage of transceivers 1-3 of theprivate wireless communication system. In addition, the processingmodule may send the wireless connectivity approach to the user device.

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving data.The method begins with step 230 where a processing module (e.g., adispersed storage (DS) processing of a user device) obtains a wirelessconnectivity approach (e.g., determine, receive). The method continuesat step 232 where the processing module receives a plurality of uniquefirst subsets of encoded data slices via a public wireless communicationsystem in accordance with the wireless connectivity approach.

The method continues at step 234 where the processing module receivesother encoded data slices corresponding to each unique first subset viaone or more sites of a private wireless communication system inaccordance with the wireless connectivity approach. The method continuesat step 236 where the processing module combines encoded data slicesfrom the plurality of unique first subsets of encoded data slices withencoded data slices from the other encoded data slices to produce atleast a decode threshold number of encoded data slices per set of aplurality of sets of encoded data slices. For example, the processingmodule starts with a unique first subset of encoded data slices and addsenough slices from one or more streams of slices from the privatewireless communication system to produce the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices per set. The method continues at step 238 where theprocessing module decodes the at least the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices per set of the plurality of sets of encoded dataslices using a dispersed storage error coding function to reproducedata.

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes a source 240, a trusted source 242, apublic wireless communication network 164, a private wirelesscommunication network 166, and a computing device 244. The publicwireless communication network 164 includes at least one of a publicwireless local area network, a public cellular network, a publicbroadband network, a public satellite network, and a public internet.The private wireless communication network 166 includes at least one ofa private wireless local area network, a private cellular network, aprivate two-way radio network, a private broadband network, a privatesatellite network, a private governmental wireless network, and aprivate intranet. Alternatively, the private wireless communicationnetwork 166 may be implemented with any communication network technologyassociated with higher security than the public wireless communicationnetwork 164. The source 240 includes at least one of a data server, aninternet source, a media server, a user device, and a dispersed storage(DS) processing unit. The trusted source 242 includes at least one of adata server, an internet source, a media server, a user device, and adispersed storage (DS) processing unit. Alternatively, the trustedsource 242 includes the source 240. The computing device 244 may beimplemented as at least one of a receiving entity, a user device, a DSprocessing unit, and a DS unit. The computing device 244 includes a DSprocessing 246. The DS processing includes a receive module 248, a trustmodule 250, and a complete set module 252.

The system functions to reproduce a trusted data segment 254. Thereceive module 248 receives a decode threshold number of encoded dataslices 256. The receive module 248 may receive the decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices 256 via the private wireless communicationnetwork 166 from source 240. A data segment of data is encoded using adispersed storage error coding function to produce a set of encoded dataslices. The decode threshold number of encoded data slices 256 is asubset of the set of encoded data slices.

The trust module 250 determines whether to evoke a trust verificationfunction after receiving the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices 256. The trust module 250 determines whether to evoke the trustverification function by at least one of a variety of mechanisms. Afirst mechanism includes an automated process that is triggered uponreceiving the decode threshold number of encoded data slices 256. Forexample, the automated process may indicate to evoke the trust functionfor every decode threshold number of encoded data slices. As anotherexample, the automated process may indicate to evoke the trust functionfor every nth decode threshold number of encoded data slices. As yetanother example, the automated process may indicate to evoke the trustfunction at every mth time interval.

A second mechanism includes determining that at least one of the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness. The trust module 250 determines that at least one ofthe decode threshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness by at least one of a variety of approaches. A firstapproach includes detecting an integrity verification failure of the atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices (e.g., areceived integrity value does not match a calculated integrity value). Asecond approach includes detecting a time delay in receiving the atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices (e.g.,compared to receiving other encoded data slices). A third approachincludes decoding the decode threshold number of encoded data slices 256yields an error in reproducing the data segment (e.g., a received datasegment integrity value does not match a calculated data segmentintegrity value, the data segment is missing a watermark, etc.). Afourth approach includes detecting a communication path variance of theat least one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices(e.g., an internet protocol routing path difference between the at leastone slice and other slices). A fifth approach includes detecting a timestamp variance of the at least one of the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices (e.g., a timestamp associated with the at least oneslice is substantially different than timestamps associated with each ofthe other slices).

When the trust verification function is to be evoked, the trust module250 selects one or more encoded data slices of the set of encoded dataslices for trust verification to produce one or more selected encodeddata slices 258. The trust module 250 selects the one or more encodeddata slices 258 by at least one of a variety of methods. A first methodincludes an automated process that selects the one or more encoded dataslices 258 after evoking the trust verification function. For example,the trust module 250 selects one or more encoded data slices of thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices. As another example, thetrust module 250 selects one or more encoded data slices of remainingencoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices. As yet anotherexample, the trust module selects one or more encoded data slices of theset of encoded data slices (e.g., a combination). A second methodincludes selecting the one or more encoded data slices based onquestionable trustworthiness of at least one of the decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices.

The complete set module 252 sends, to the trusted source 242, a request260 to receive the one or more selected encoded data slices 258. Thecomplete set module 252 sends the request 260 to the trusted source 242via the public wireless communication network 164 or the privatewireless communication network 166. For example, the complete set module252 sends the request 262 the trusted source 242 via the public wirelesscommunication network 164 to provide improved system security bysegregating reception of the decode threshold number of slices 256 viathe private wireless communication network 166 and acquisition of theone or more selected encoded data slices 258 via the public wirelesscommunication network 164. The complete set module 252 may receive, inresponse to the request 260, a message from the trusted source 242indicating that the decode threshold number of encoded data slices 256is not to be trusted (e.g., the source 240 is unauthorized). Thecomplete set module 252 may modify the one or more selected encoded dataslices 258 when receiving the message from the trusted source 242.

The complete set module 252 may receive the one or more selected encodeddata slices 258 via the public wireless communication network 164. Whenthe one or more selected encoded data slices 258 are received from thetrusted source 242, the complete set module 252 determines that atrusted set of encoded data slices is available based on the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices 256 and the received one or moreselected encoded data slices 258. The complete set module 252 determinesthat the trusted set of encoded data slices is available by at least oneof a variety of alternatives. A first alternative includes decodingdifferent combinations of the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices 256 and the received one or more selected encoded data slices258, where each different decoding combination reproduces the datasegment. A second alternative includes comparing a trusted data segmentintegrity value with a calculated data segment integrity value that isderived from decoding the decode threshold number of encoded data slices256 and the received one or more selected encoded data slices 258. Whenthe trusted set of encoded data slices is available, the complete setmodule 252 decodes the trusted set of encoded data slices to reproducethe trusted data segment 254.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating an example of acquiring a trustedset of encoded data slices. The method begins at step 270 where aprocessing module (e.g., of a receiving entity) receives a decodethreshold number of encoded data slices. The processing module mayfacilitate receiving the decode threshold number of encoded data slicesvia a private wireless communication network. A data segment of data isencoded using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a setof encoded data slices. The decode threshold number of encoded dataslices is a subset of the set of encoded data slices;

The method continues at step 272 where the processing module determineswhether to evoke a trust verification function after receiving thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices. The determining whetherto evoke the trust verification function includes at least one of avariety of mechanisms. A first mechanism includes an automated processthat is triggered upon receiving the decode threshold number of encodeddata slices. A second mechanism includes determining that at least oneof the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness. The determining that at least one of the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness includes at least one of a variety of approaches. Afirst approach includes detecting an integrity verification failure ofthe at least one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices.A second approach includes detecting a time delay in receiving the atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. A thirdapproach includes decoding the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices yields an error in reproducing the data segment. A fourthapproach includes detecting a communication path variance of the atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. A fifthapproach includes detecting a time stamp variance of the at least one ofthe decode threshold number of encoded data slices.

When the trust verification function is to be evoked, the methodcontinues at step 274 where the processing module selects one or moreencoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for trustverification to produce one or more selected encoded data slices. Theselecting one or more encoded data slices includes at least one of avariety of mechanisms. A first mechanism includes an automated processthat selects the one or more encoded data slices after evoking the trustverification function. A second mechanism includes selecting the one ormore encoded data slices based on questionable trustworthiness of atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices.

The method continues at step 276 where the processing module sends, to atrusted source, a request to receive the one or more selected encodeddata slices. The processing module may facilitate sending the request tothe trusted source via a public wireless communication network or theprivate wireless communication network. In response to the request, thetrusted source may output a message and/or slices. When the trustedsource outputs the message, the method continues at step 278 where theprocessing module receives, in response to the request, a message fromthe trusted source indicating that the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices is not to be trusted. The method loops back to step274 when the processing module receives the message.

When the trusted source outputs the slices, the method continues at step280 where the processing module receives the one or more selectedencoded data slices via the public wireless communication network. Whenthe one or more selected encoded data slices are received from thetrusted source, the method continues at step 282 where the processingmodule determines that a trusted set of encoded data slices is availablebased on the decode threshold number of encoded data slices and thereceived one or more selected encoded data slices. The determining thatthe trusted set of encoded data slices is available includes at leastone of a variety of methods. A first method includes decoding differentcombinations of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices andthe received one or more selected encoded data slices, wherein eachdifferent decoding combination reproduces the data segment. A secondmethod includes comparing a trusted data segment integrity value with acalculated data segment integrity value that is derived from decodingthe decode threshold number of encoded data slices and the received oneor more selected encoded data slices. When the trusted set of encodeddata slices is available, the method continues at step 284 where theprocessing module decodes the trusted set of encoded data slices toreproduce a trusted data segment.

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data,which include similar steps to FIG. 10A. The method begins with steps218, 200, and 222 of FIG. 10A where a processing module (e.g., adispersed storage (DS) processing of an infrastructure element) obtainsdata for transmission to a user device, determines a wirelessconnectivity approach, and dispersed storage error encodes the data toproduce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continuesat step 286 where the processing module selects less than a decodethreshold number of encoded data slices per set of the plurality of setsof encoded data slices to produce a first group of encoded data slices.The method continues at step 288 where the processing module sends thefirst group of encoded data slices to the user device via a firstwireless communication system.

The method continues at step 290 where the processing module determinesa next site of a second wireless communication system. The next siteincludes an anticipated site of the second wireless indication system toprovide wireless connectivity to the user device subsequent to a currentsite of the second wireless communication system. The determination maybe based on one or more of a current location indicator of user device,route information, schedule adherence information, route historyinformation, a site location list, wireless communication systemregistration information, a registration request, and a message. Forexample, the processing module determines the next site to be site 12when the current site is site 9 and route information indicates that adirection of travel of the user device is from a geographic localityassociated with site 9 to a geographic locality associated with site 12.

When the user device is detected to be in a coverage proximity of thenext site, the method continues at step 292 where the processing modulesends at least some remaining encoded data slices (e.g., at least enoughslices to provide a decode threshold number of slices in total, allremaining slices per set such that they pillar width number of slicesare sent in total) to the user device via the next site of the secondwireless communication system. The processing module detects the userdevice to be in the coverage proximity of the next site based on one ormore of an updated current location indicator of the user device, siteregistration information, and a message.

The sending includes one or more of sending the at least some of theremaining encoded data slices in accordance with the wirelessconnectivity approach, sending the at least some of the remainingencoded data slices to a radio network controller (RNC) of the secondwireless communication system, and sending the at least some of theremaining encoded data slices to one or more transceivers associatedwith the second wireless communication system, wherein the one or moretransceivers of the second wireless communication system are affiliatedwith the user device (e.g., within wireless range of the transceiver ofthe second wireless communication system, connected indicated by siteregistration information of the second wireless communication system).For example, the processing module sends all remaining slices of eachset of the plurality of sets. As another example, the processing modulesends all remaining slices of sets that were sent when the user devicewas in a coverage proximity to a previous site of the second wirelesscommunication system. As yet another example, the processing modulesends slices of predetermined segments. In addition, the processingmodule may send the wireless connectivity approach to the user device.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving data,which include similar steps to FIG. 10B. The method begins with step 230of FIG. 10B where a processing module (e.g., a dispersed storage (DS)processing of a user device) obtains a wireless connectivity approach.The method continues at step 296 where the processing module receives afirst group of encoded data slices via a first wireless communicationsystem. When a proximity indicator to a next site of a second wirelesscommunication system is valid, the method continues at step 298 wherethe processing module receives other encoded data slices via the nextsite of the second wireless communication system in accordance with thewireless connectivity approach. The processing module detects theproximity indicator to the next site of the second wirelesscommunication system based on one or more of an updated current locationindicator, site registration information, and a message. In addition,the processing module may output an indication with regards to one ormore of the next site and route information that includes the next site(e.g., providing a user interface indication).

The method continues at step 300 where the processing module combinesencoded data slices from the first group of encoded data slices withencoded data slices from the other encoded data slices to produce atleast a decode threshold number of encoded data slices per set of aplurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with step238 of FIG. 10B where the processing module dispersed storage errordecodes the at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slicesper set of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to reproducedata.

FIG. 13A is a flowchart illustrating another example of sending data,which include similar steps to FIG. 10A. The method begins with steps218 and 222 of FIG. 10A where a processing module (e.g., a dispersedstorage (DS) processing of an infrastructure element) obtains data fortransmission to a user device and dispersed storage error encodes thedata to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The methodcontinues at step 308 where the processing module determines a slicepartitioning approach. The slice partitioning approach includes one ormore of dispersal parameters (e.g., pillar width, a decode threshold, aninformation dispersal algorithm), a slice selection approach per set ofslices (e.g., how many slices relative to the decode threshold percentto select), a slice partitioning method (e.g., dividing each slice intotwo or more portions), a slice to wireless system association (e.g., howmany and which slices per set of slices to send via which wirelesscommunication system).

The slice partitioning method further includes one or more of how manyslices per set to partition, how to divide each slice, and whichwireless communication system to utilize send each portion to the userdevice. The determining may be based on one or more of wireless systeminformation associated with a plurality of wireless systems (e.g.,capabilities, capacity, availability, performance, cost) andtransmission requirements (e.g., performance, security, reliability).For example, the processing module determines that the slicepartitioning method includes partitioning a decode threshold number ofslices per set into equal halves of slices when a security requirementindicates average securities required.

The method continues at step 310 where the processing module partitionsat least one encoded in a slice per set of the plurality of sets ofencoded data slices to produce a first slice partitioning and a secondslice partitioning in accordance with the slice partitioning approach.For example, the processing module produces the first slice partitioningto include a group of first partitions of the one or more slices per setand produces the second slice partitioning to include remaining portionsof the one or more slices per set (e.g., whole slices not partitioned).

The method continues at step 312 where the processing module sends thefirst slice partitioning to the user device via a first wirelesscommunication system. The sending includes one or more of sending thefirst slice partitioning in accordance with the slice partitioningapproach, sending the first slice partitioning to a radio networkcontroller (RNC) of the first wireless communication system, and sendingthe first slice partitioning to one or more transceivers associated withthe first wireless communication system, wherein the one or moretransceivers are affiliated with the user device (e.g., within wirelessrange, connected indicated by site registration information).

The method continues at step 314 where the processing module sends thesecond slice partitioning to the user device via a second wirelesscommunication system. The sending includes one or more of sending thesecond slice partitioning in accordance with the slice partitioningapproach, sending the second slice partitioning to an RNC of the secondwireless communication system, and sending the second slice partitioningto one or more transceivers associated with the second wirelesscommunication system, wherein the one or more transceivers of the secondwireless communication system are affiliated with the user device (e.g.,within wireless range of the transceiver of the second wirelesscommunication system, connected indicated by site registrationinformation of the second wireless communication system). In addition,the processing module may send the wireless connectivity approach to theuser device.

FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating another example of receiving data,which include similar steps to FIG. 10B. The method begins at step 316where a processing module (e.g., a dispersed storage (DS) processing ofa user device) obtains a slice partitioning approach. The obtainingincludes at least one of outputting a query, receiving a response, alookup, requesting the approach from a DS processing unit, receiving theapproach from the DS processing unit, and receiving the approach from aradio network controller (RNC).

The method continues at step 318 where the processing module receives afirst slice partitioning via a first wireless communication system inaccordance with the slice partitioning approach. The method continues atstep 320 where the processing module receives a second slicepartitioning via a second wireless communication system in accordancewith the slice partitioning approach. The method continues at step 322where the processing module combines the first slice partitioning withthe second slice partitioning to produce at least a decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices per set of a plurality of sets of encodeddata slices. For example, the processing module starts with combiningslice portions of the first slice partitioning with slice portions ofthe second slice partitioning to produce the at least the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices per set. The method continueswith step 238 of FIG. 10B where the processing module dispersed storageerror decodes the at least the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices per set of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices toreproduce data (e.g., in accordance with the slice partitioningapproach).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device ora plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memoryand/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memorydevice, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry ofanother processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processingunit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that if the processing module, module,processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, theboundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could bedefined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriatelyperformed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarilydefined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To theextent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could havebeen defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the artwill also recognize that the functional building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof.

The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, interms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present inventionis used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, afeature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. Aphysical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, amachine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention mayinclude one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc.described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporatethe same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may usethe same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions,steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps,modules, etc. or different ones.

While the transistors in the above described figure(s) is/are shown asfield effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, the transistors may be implemented using any type oftransistor structure including, but not limited to, bipolar, metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors,P-well transistors, enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltagethreshold (VT) transistors.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of the various embodimentsof the present invention. A module includes a processing module, afunctional block, hardware, and/or software stored on memory forperforming one or more functions as may be described herein. Note that,if the module is implemented via hardware, the hardware may operateindependently and/or in conjunction software and/or firmware. As usedherein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which maybe one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of thepresent invention have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprises: receiving a decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices, wherein a data segment of data is encodedusing a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a set ofencoded data slices and wherein the decode threshold number of encodeddata slices is a subset of the set of encoded data slices; determiningwhether to evoke a trust verification function after receiving thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices; when the trustverification function is to be evoked, selecting one or more encodeddata slices of the set of encoded data slices for trust verification toproduce one or more selected encoded data slices; sending, to a trustedsource, a request to receive the one or more selected encoded dataslices; and when the one or more selected encoded data slices arereceived from the trusted source, determining that a trusted set ofencoded data slices is available based on the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices and the received one or more selected encoded dataslices.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprises: receiving the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices via a private wirelesscommunication network; sending the request to the trusted source via apublic wireless communication network or the private wirelesscommunication network; and receiving the one or more selected encodeddata slices via the public wireless communication network.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the determining whether to evoke the trustverification function comprises at least one of: an automated processthat is triggered upon receiving the decode threshold number of encodeddata slices; and determining that at least one of the decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices is of questionable trustworthiness.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the determining that at least one of thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness comprises at least one of: detecting an integrityverification failure of the at least one of the decode threshold numberof encoded data slices; detecting a time delay in receiving the at leastone of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices; decoding thedecode threshold number of encoded data slices yields an error inreproducing the data segment; detecting a communication path variance ofthe at least one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices;and detecting a time stamp variance of the at least one of the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the selecting one or more encoded data slices comprises at leastone of: an automated process that selects the one or more encoded dataslices after evoking the trust verification function; and selecting theone or more encoded data slices based on questionable trustworthiness ofat least one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. 6.The method of claim 1 further comprises: receiving, in response to therequest, a message from the trusted source indicating that the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices is not to be trusted.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determining that the trusted set ofencoded data slices is available comprises at least one of: decodingdifferent combinations of the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices and the received one or more selected encoded data slices,wherein each different decoding combination reproduces the data segment;and comparing a trusted data segment integrity value with a calculateddata segment integrity value that is derived from decoding the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices and the received one or moreselected encoded data slices.
 8. The method of claim 1 furthercomprises: when the trusted set of encoded data slices is available,decoding the trusted set of encoded data slices to reproduce a trusteddata segment.
 9. A dispersed storage (DS) module comprises: a firstmodule, when operable within a computing device, causes the computingdevice to: receive a decode threshold number of encoded data slices,wherein a data segment of data is encoded using a dispersed storageerror coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices andwherein the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is a subsetof the set of encoded data slices; a second module, when operable withinthe computing device, causes the computing device to: determine whetherto evoke a trust verification function after receiving the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices; and when the trust verificationfunction is to be evoked, select one or more encoded data slices of theset of encoded data slices for trust verification to produce one or moreselected encoded data slices; and a third module, when operable withinthe computing device, causes the computing device to: send, to a trustedsource, a request to receive the one or more selected encoded dataslices; and when the one or more selected encoded data slices arereceived from the trusted source, determine that a trusted set ofencoded data slices is available based on the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices and the received one or more selected encoded dataslices.
 10. The DS module of claim 9 further comprises: the first modulefurther functions to receive the decode threshold number of encoded dataslices via a private wireless communication network; the third modulefurther functions to: send the request to the trusted source via apublic wireless communication network or the private wirelesscommunication network; and receive the one or more selected encoded dataslices via the public wireless communication network.
 11. The DS moduleof claim 9, wherein the second module functions to determine whether toevoke the trust verification function by at least one of: an automatedprocess that is triggered upon receiving the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices; and determining that at least one of the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices is of questionabletrustworthiness.
 12. The DS module of claim 11, wherein the secondmodule functions to determine that at least one of the decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices is of questionable trustworthiness by atleast one of: detecting an integrity verification failure of the atleast one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices;detecting a time delay in receiving the at least one of the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices; decoding the decode thresholdnumber of encoded data slices yields an error in reproducing the datasegment; detecting a communication path variance of the at least one ofthe decode threshold number of encoded data slices; and detecting a timestamp variance of the at least one of the decode threshold number ofencoded data slices.
 13. The DS module of claim 9, wherein the secondmodule functions to select one or more encoded data slices by at leastone of: an automated process that selects the one or more encoded dataslices after evoking the trust verification function; and selecting theone or more encoded data slices based on questionable trustworthiness ofat least one of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. 14.The DS module of claim 9 further comprises: the third module furtherfunctions to receive, in response to the request, a message from thetrusted source indicating that the decode threshold number of encodeddata slices is not to be trusted.
 15. The DS module of claim 9, whereinthe third module functions to determine that the trusted set of encodeddata slices is available by at least one of: decoding differentcombinations of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices andthe received one or more selected encoded data slices, wherein eachdifferent decoding combination reproduces the data segment; andcomparing a trusted data segment integrity value with a calculated datasegment integrity value that is derived from decoding the decodethreshold number of encoded data slices and the received one or moreselected encoded data slices.
 16. The DS module of claim 9 furthercomprises: when the trusted set of encoded data slices is available, thethird module further functions to decode the trusted set of encoded dataslices to reproduce a trusted data segment.